SANQUHAR boxer Rhys Pagan was on the wrong end of a raw deal on Saturday night.

Light middleweight Pagan stepped in to the ring at the Paisley Lagoon Leisure Centre to challenge for the Scottish title against Dundonian Mike Towell.

In an exciting opening few rounds, Pagan seemed to edge his way in front, winning the first two rounds before disaster struck. With five seconds remaining in the third round, the referee stunned Pagan’s corner and many in attendance when he waived the fight off.

The Sanquhar man couldn’t hide his shock at the decision as loud booing rung out from large sections of the crowd.

Pagan’s manager, Paul Graham, also struggled to hide his anger as he jumped onto the canvas to voice his frustration at the referee.

Graham said: “It was a terrible decision. Rhys won the first two rounds clearly. I really want the best for all of my boys but Rhys was good to continue. The fight shouldn’t have been stopped.

“On the plus side Rhys is only 21-years-old and he only has two defeats from ten fights so we can live with that. We will dust him down and hopefully get him back out for a six rounder around about June and we’ll then look at trying to get him a rematch for the Scottish title in September or October.”